COLDWATER ó The new, friendlier Branch County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol will be out in force for the Memorial Day weekend.

Sgt. Rick Holdgrave, head of the patrol for the second year said the patrolís philosophy has helped turn around the reputation of the organization.

"We try to do it with education as well as enforcement," he said.

"One of our biggest problems has been improper life jackets especially with children," Holtgrave explained. He said now with donated life jackets from Gander Mountain, marinas and other businesses the patrol can loan boaters a proper jacket "instead of ticketing them and asking them to leave the water."

Sheriff John Pollack said it has helped turn the reputation around "because we approach people now with a solution to a problem. They donít get a ticket and they can enjoy their day on the water."

Beginning last year the marine boats carried extra life preservers on board.

"We loan them. We log them. We have drop off points," Holtgrave said. "The program worked very successfully last year."

Also, the patrol hands out marine safety books on each stop so boaters know what they did wrong. Plans are underway for 90-minute adult safely education courses this summer.

"Some people donít seem to understand just how important rules are," Holtgrave said.

One of the major complaints is boaters going through channels too fast.

"That is a misdemeanor ticket. The sheriff has asked us to get (these boaters) slowed down," he said.

There are eight marine patrol deputies on staff, four new ones who just graduated from the academy, staffing six boats.

There is a larger boat which is permanently assigned and in the water on the north chain.

"That is a first," Holtgrave said.

Two Four Winds are going to stay always on the south chain; two other smaller boats on trailers will be "rovers" for back up on the two major chains "or they will go around to other lakes in the county. We are hoping to do a lot more of that this year" the sergeant promised.

The sixth boat is a new Boston Whaler, which will be used for a dive boat, search and rescue

but will also be used for patrolling.

Expect a minimum of three boats in the water each weekend.

"This year we will try night patrolling especially if there are complaints," Pollack said. "We expect to do some unscheduled daytime patrols during the week."

Anytime the weather is nice expect marine patrols.

"If the weather is bad and boats arenít out there donít expect us to be out there," Holtgrave explained.

The sheriff said the lake associations have stepped up and donated to the department which was faced with budget cuts.

Page 2 of 2 - "We would not be where we are without them ó one of the best (marine patrol) departments around," Pollack said.